Weather Closures and Warnings
RAINOUTLINE: 708-779-6010
Never miss a weather warning, closure, cancelation or location change!
It is simple to find out about weather delays or facility closings before leaving home or on the go! Call 708-779-6010 and choose the appropriate extension.Â
Download the RainoutLine app to receive program, event and athletic cancelations and facility closure information by text or email. Manage your text and/or email subscriptions by selecting the activity and facility categories, and establishing the length of time you want to receive notifications. Important: be sure to register for only the program or event notifications you are interested in!
The Tinley Park-Park District uses a lightning warning system at Bettenhausen Park, Community Park, Freedom Park, McCarthy Park, Memorial Park and Vogt Woods Park. This system warns of actual lightning strikes within a 10-mile radius of the park.
Lightning Warning System & Weather Station
The Tinley Park-Park District uses a lightning warning system at Bettenhausen Park, Community Park, Freedom Park, McCarthy Park, Memorial Park and Vogt Woods Park. This system warns of actual lightning strikes within a 10-mile radius of the park.
Warning Signal
A warning signal (one long 15-second horn) will sound and strobe lights will activate when a potentially dangerous weather situation is in the area, along with a strobe light flash while the alert remains active.
Procedures
All activities in the park should end immediately and patrons should leave the park. It is recommended that park patrons seek shelter in their cars or a building. All park patrons should wait until the lightning prediction system performs an All Clear Signal before returning to the park.
All Clear Signal
The All Clear Signal (three short horn blasts) will sound and the strobe lights will deactivate. After the All Clear Signal sounds and the strobe lights deactivate, park patrons may resume their activities.
Caution
The Perry Weather system helps assess the conditions. Neither the signal nor the system is intended to guarantee that conditions are safe. If the weather is threatening and no warning signal is heard or seen, use good judgment and clear the field. Do not wait for the warning signal to activate, as the system can malfunction.
All park sirens are set to activate between 7:00am-10:00pm. Freedom Park siren will be on year-round. The siren systems at all other locations will be turned on from March 15-November 30
Inclement Weather Notification Procedure
Athletic programs and leagues may be canceled or relocated to an indoor facility. Poor field conditions, rain, snow, excessive temperatures and other severe weather conditions may result in cancelations. An athletic program may be moved indoors due to these conditions. Please refer to the organization running the activity for updates on field conditions and activity cancellations for a different organization that utilizes Tinley Park-Park District fields (e.g. Tinley Park Bulldogs).
The decision to cancel events or close District facilities is made by the Executive Director and is not taken lightly because of the many factors that influence that decision. The safety of our customers and staff is the most important element in the decision-making process. Â
Ice Rinks
When the forecast calls for multiple weeks of below-freezing temperatures in the winter months, the Park District often freezes an area at Lewis Park for ice skating. Since winter weather conditions in Chicagoland are unpredictable, ice rinks are not guaranteed each year.
Lewis Park: Closed
Last Updated: February 25, 2026
The minimum criteria for the Park District to create ice rinks is:
- Ample permafrost layer on the ground at each ice rink location
- At least two weeks of below-freezing temperatures forecast
- Park District staff availability
- Please confirm safe conditions on-site and the status of each rink via the Open/Closed signs as posted by Park District staff
- Posted signage is the most updated information regarding rink conditions
- Ice rinks are unsupervised.
- All patrons use the ice rinks at their own risk.
- Ice skating is prohibited at any other District property